Tyler Boyd 1-of-2 Suspended at Pitt, But What’s Worst That Could Happen?

Preseason All-American wide receiver Tyler Boyd is one of two Pitt Panthers suspended for the team’s season opener, along with defensive tackle Rori Blair, first-year head coach Pat Narduzzi announced Monday.

“In addition to their game suspensions, Tyler and Rori have been, and will continue to be, subject to internal discipline and accountability.The situations were very disappointing and both young men have expressed their regret. Our expectation is that each of them, as well as our entire team, will learn from their mistakes and be better for it moving forward.”

Blair, the survivor of a stroke, was arrested for DUI in March. He was a force on the Panther defensive line in his freshman campaign, recording a team-high five sacks in 2014.

Tyler Boyd was arrested in a separate DUI incident in June. Boyd is arguably the nation’s best returning receiver. His career numbers are tops among all Power Five wide-outs:

Losing a huge piece of both the offense and defense is indeed a setback for Narduzzi in his Pitt debut, but the harsh reality is that such incidents are why power conference teams schedule the proverbial tune-up in Week 1.

Sure, it’s more ideal the Panthers have them in the lineup, but how much of an impact could their absences have against…[looks at Pitt schedule]…Youngstown State?!

Bo Pelini’s Nebraska teams didn’t have the best of luck against Narduzzi’s Michigan State defenses — not that Pelini needs added motivation to prove himself in his debut with Youngstown State.